As Green and Cedric peered out the door in astonishment, Wentworth’s voice, tinged with skepticism, echoed in the hall.

Professor Quirrell stumbled in, shouting loudly, “Trolls! There are trolls! It’s in the basement… I think, I want you to know…” before collapsing to the ground.

Instantaneously, chaos erupted throughout the Hogwarts auditorium, with students succumbing to panic. However, sitting calmly in his seat, Wentworth shook his head in resignation.

Observing the commotion, a slightly panicked Cedric turned to Wentworth, exclaiming, “Wentworth, didn’t you hear? A troll came in!”

Wentworth gestured for Cedric to keep quiet, then pointed to the teacher’s chair at the front of the auditorium, explaining, “I heard it! It’s just a troll! Unless it’s an army of trolls, the esteemed individuals sitting there can handle it. If the Troll has any sense, it should be the one afraid of invading Hogwarts at times like this!”

“Also, didn’t I tell you about my plans from earlier? Just stay calm. We will do everything as planned.” Wentworth continued.

True to his words, Professor Dumbledore rose and proclaimed loudly, “Quiet! Everyone, be calm!”

Dumbledore’s authoritative presence gradually quelled the tumult among the Hogwarts students. He continued, “Now, everyone, guided by your Prefects, returns to your respective dormitories. Teachers, follow me to the basement!”

Wentworth reassuringly patted Green on the shoulder and said, “Okay, let’s get to work. Remember what I told you!” Green nodded and proceeded to the front of the long Hufflepuff table, rallying his fellow students with a resounding, “All Hufflepuff students, come with me!”

Meanwhile, Wentworth and Cedric purposefully positioned themselves toward the back of the Hufflepuff contingent.

As they observed, Harry and Ron deviated from the Gryffindor group, heading toward the basement—exactly as Wentworth anticipated.

Initially, Wentworth was ready to ease up, knowing that this mirrored the events from the original book. However, he was taken aback when Draco left the Slytherin team to chase after Harry and Ron.

His palm met his forehead as he slapped them audibly. Wentworth mumbled, “I tried to be clever by making Harry and Draco friends, and now I’ve created trouble for myself. Great!” He grunted.

Despite his reservations, witnessing this, Wentworth pulled Cedric along anxiously, following the same path.

Unbeknownst to Wentworth, another observer silently trailed him.

Draco swiftly caught up with Harry and Ron, urgently inquiring, “What on earth are you two doing? Going to confront the trolls? You’re both insane! Ron, I knew you were foolish, but I never imagined you’d be so dense! I don’t care if you’re bent on self-destruction, but don’t drag Harry down with you!”

Draco, frustrated, grasped Harry’s hand in an attempt to pull him back, insisting they focus on their own safety.

Harry hurriedly clarified, “Wait, Draco, Hermione’s still in the bathroom and doesn’t know about the Troll. She’s in danger. We should go and save her!”

Unmoved, Draco retorted, “Hermione? Saving her is the Professors’ responsibility. Right now, I’m saving you!”

Amidst this standoff, Wentworth observed the situation and realized that Hermione was in imminent danger if they continued to deadlock. Reluctantly altering his plan, Wentworth stood up, addressing the trio, “What are you three doing?”

Startled, Harry, Draco, and Ron turned to face Wentworth and Cedric, who were approaching.

With surprise evident in his voice, Draco said, “Wentworth, come help me convince Harry. He wants to challenge the Troll; he’s insane!”

Simultaneously, Harry anxiously pleaded, “Wentworth, lend me a hand. Hermione’s still in the bathroom, unaware of the Troll. She’s in danger!”

Now in front of them, Wentworth wasn’t about to ask Harry to abandon his cause. Instead, he intended to use Snape’s knowledge to complement his subsequent actions.

Wentworth took charge of the situation, urging Harry and Draco to release their grip on each other. He briskly declared, “Alright, alright. First, let go of Harry’s hand, Draco. After that, all of you follow me and listen to every word I say, got it?”

The trio of freshmen nodded their heads upon hearing Wentworth’s words.

Upon hearing Wentworth’s suggestion to face the situation collectively, Harry seemed surprised. At the same time, Draco, who was about to object, was preempted by Ron’s question, “Don’t tell me that you are actually afraid, Draco?”

Caught off guard, Draco refrained from speaking and replied, “If you’re not scared, why should I be? Besides, we have senior Wentworth and Cedric here!”

Ignoring the ongoing exchange between Draco and Ron, Wentworth took the lead, rushing towards the Hogwarts basement, closely followed by Cedric.

Harry hastened to join them, while Draco and Ron exchanged glances and sprinted after the trio.

Upon reaching the basement, a harrowing scream echoed from the girls’ bathroom—Hermione’s voice. The urgency of the situation spurred Wentworth into swifter action. As they arrived at the bathroom door, they were met with the sight of the Troll wielding a wooden club.

The girls’ bathroom was in chaos, with the Troll relentlessly smashing toilet stalls. Upon spotting the approaching group, Hermione cried out for help, “Help! Help me!”

Observing the situation, Cedric promptly drew his wand, ready to intervene. However, Wentworth restrained him with a gesture, signaling Cedric to hold off.

Wentworth, mindful of the consequences of altering the book’s narrative earlier that evening, preferred to let Harry and Ron follow the original plot and save Hermione.

He had no desire to risk navigating unfamiliar territory again.

Yet, to his surprise, Harry and Ron opted for an unconventional approach—they began collecting wood and stones from the ground.

Out of panic, they acted without thinking anything behind their actions… Instead of pulling their wands and doing what wizards are supposed to do, they try to harm the Troll by throwing some wood and stones.

Perplexed, Wentworth watched Harry and Ron hurl their improvised weapons at the Troll. A mix of embarrassment and disbelief crossed his face as he covered his eyes.

“By Merlin’s beard! You’re both wizards! WIZARDS! Is your wand just a decoration?!” Wentworth grumbled inwardly.

While Ron and Harry looked at each other out of confusion, they snapped back after hearing Wentworth’s suggestion. As they tried to reach their wands, another light from behind glowed before they even had the chance to cast a spell.

Fortunately, not everyone overlooked the obvious solution. Draco, brandishing his wand, chanted, “Levioso!”

The so called Draco Malfoy, who hailed from Slytherin House, is actually helping Hermione? Wentworth’s interference has created another branch from the original story.

Who would’ve thought anything about Draco, the selfish Slytherin, to help another student in predicament? No one dared to dream anything about him, not even paying any attention to other students.

Against everyone’s expectation, Draco was the first one to rise up on the occasion to help Hermione by casting the spell that he’s been diligently practicing under Wentworth’s guidance.

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Published On: January 25, 2024

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